Car of the Week December 11, 2000

2001 Ford Explorer SportTrac -- SUV's are popular. Trucks are popular. The Explorer's the most popular in its class -- the Ranger's not. So, what's a company to do?
Mesh them -- and hope that the result will convey the function of a truck with the comfort of a Sports Ute. Welcome: The 2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac! It tows, hauls messy stuff, seats five, rides like an SUV, and doesn't want to be confused with a "Crew Cab." It's what Ford calls a "Lifestyle Vehicles" -- it can handle those "just-in-case" moments that life throws at us.